Durant Nature Park

Durant Nature Park is a 237 acre park located in North Raleigh, just north of I540. Park resources include five miles of hiking trails (some trails are designated OK for mountain biking), 2 lakes for fishing (and canoeing using park-provided canoes in the warmer months), an open field for games/sports, a sand volley-ball court and a playground. Check out the park’s features page on the City of Raleigh site for additional info.

The park has entrances on Durant Road and Spottswood Street, a road that circles an office park on Gresham Lake Road. There is also access via a paved greenway entered on Hiking Trail Road.

If you have young children, the Secret Creek trail is a short (.2mi) hike along the stream bordering the north side of the park that ends at the playground. Park at the north entrance to the park (off of Durant Road) and enter the Secret Creek trail near the park office cabin. The border trail that circles the park provides an opportunity for longer hikes. Trails are well-marked and maps are placed throughout the park.

Durant Nature Park offers some excellent summer camps for kids 6 to 12. Programs include an over-night stay for the older kids. Campers will enjoy swimming, canoeing, exploring the stream and playing games. Pricing for the summer camps is a very reasonable $105/week.

The annual Halloween Trail is a popular attraction. Visitors hike along a candle-lit trail and experience skits performed by costumed characters. Pre-registration for this event is required and the event tends to sell out. Register via RecLink. In 2009, the Halloween Trail will take place on October 23rd and 24th.